Stamped bearing assembly

ABSTRACT

A stamped bearing assembly consisting of two sheet metal housing halves crimped together and having a pocket for receiving a bearing member. The housing halves are dimensioned to provide a minimum size with maximum strength. The housing includes a head portion in which the ball is received within a pocket and a shank portion having a bore for receiving a shank member or for use in attachment to a connecting member not formed as part of the assembly. An internal channel connects the pocket with the bore. The construction of the channel both strengthens the housing and provides a passage for lubricating or injecting plastic race material into the pocket. The shank member is permanently attached to the shank portion of the housing by deformation of the shank portion of the housing against the shank member.

United States Patent 1191 Wachter et al.

[ STAMPED BEARING ASSEMBLY [75] Inventors: Vincent C. Wachter, Milford;Joseph R. Keller, Fairfield; Frederick J.

Feldmann, Stratford, all of Conn.

[73] Assignee: MPB Corporation, Keene, NH.

[22] Filed: July 21, 1971 [2!] Appl. No.: 164,508

[52] U.S. Cl. 308/72 [5 1] Int. Cl. Fl6e 23/00 [58] Field of Search308/72 [56] ReferencesCited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,438,661 4/1969 Down111 ..387/88 3,614,182 10/1971 Rozentals. 308/72 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 99,240 l2/l959 Denmark 287/88 1451 July 17, 1973 PrimaryExaminer-Charles J. Myhre Assistant Examiner-Frank Susko Att0rney--DeanS. Edmonds, Harry C. Jones. III et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A stamped bearing assembly consisting of two sheet metalhousing halves c'rimped together and having a pocket for receiving abearing member. The housing halves are dimensioned to provide a minimumsize with maximum strength. The housing includes a head portion in whichthe ball is received; within a pocket and a shank portion having a borefor receiving a shank member or for use in attachment to a connectingmember not formed as part of the assembly. An internal channel connectsthe pocket with the bore. The construction of the channel bothstrengthensthe housing and provides a passage for lubricating orinjecting plastic race material into the pocket. The shank member ispermanently attached to the shank portion of the housing by deformationof the shank portion of the housing against the shank member.

22 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENIEUJUL 1 H913 sum 10; 2

' INVENTORS VINCENT c. WACHTER 5 JOSEPH R.KELLER FREDERICK J.

I F E L DMAN N .7 ATTORNEYS STAMPED BEARING ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Spherical bearing assemblies including rod end assemblies aretoday constructed in a number of different ways. For example, thehousing for the assembly may be made of sheet metal and stamped into ashape to provide both a bearing surface for a spherical ball member anda shank portion for mounting the assembly in the apparatus with which itis to be used. Typically, the housing is comprised of two stamped halvessecured together either by spot welding or by crimping the edge of onehalf over the edge of the other. Also, the spherical ball may be securedfor rotation in direct bearing contact with the stamped housingstructure or a packing or race material may be provided for supportingthe ball in the housing. Constructions of the type discussed above aredisclosed, for example, in U. S. Pat. No. 1,898,100 and Danish Pat. No.99,240 (1964). Stamped rod end bearing assemblies are also presentlyavailable commercially. In construction, the housing is made of twohalves stamped to provide a spherical bearing surface for directlysupporting a spherical metal ball and a tubular shank portion forreceiving a shank member. For securing the housing halves together, theperiphery of one is crimped about the periphery of the other.

It is also old to construct spherical rod end bearing assemblies from asingle blank of material. Here, the housing is either machined from ablock of metal or made for a metal blank by a drawing and shapingoperation. Bearing assemblies of these types are disclosed in U. S.Pats. Nos. 3,287,071 and 3,438,661.

Generally, the prior art bearing assemblies are either expensive tomanufacture, possess limited strength characteristics or have sacrificedquality for reduced cost. Also, with the bearing assemblies made ofstamped housing parts, the overall size of the housing is generally madelarge to compensate for reduced strength. This provides a bulkyunattractive appearing assembly. Further, with the stamped bearingassemblies presently available, the connection of the shank member canbe less than satisfactory when the assembly is subjected to severeloading conditions including conditions which result in misalignment orimproper loading. Under such situations, the rod end member may becomeloose within the shank portion of the housing and may even loosen theconnection of the housing halves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention, a stamped bearing assembly of superior quality and one havingsuperior operating performance characteristics is provided. The assemblyis constructed of two stamped sheet metal halves that are shaped toprovide a minimum overall dimension with maximum strength. In addition,the stamped contour of the housing not only provides strength but isconstructed to provide a passageway for lubrication of the ball heldwithin the housing. Alternatively, this passageway can be used forinjecting plastic where the assembly is to include a plastic racematerial between the inner ball and housing structure.

The present construction is made so that it may be supplied either as afemale assembly having a threaded bore or as a male assembly having athreaded shank member permanently threaded into a shank portion formedin the housing. Where the latter construction is desired, the shankmember is secured within the shank by deformation and brazing to providea high strength connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIHE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thehousing parts of the bearing assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the female bearing assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the male bearing assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. Sis a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the construction of alubricating orifice;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of still another em bodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another type of bearing assemblyincorporating the features of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1,the housing of the bearing assembly of the present invention isconstructed of two sheet metal halves l and 2 made, for example, fromlow carbon steel. Advantageously, the housing halves are cadmium or zincplated. Materials other than low carbon steel may be used to suit theparticular conditions under which the assembly is to be used. Thehousing halves are formed from sheet metal by a stamping oper ation andeach halfincludes a head portion 3 and shank portion 4. The headportions have aligned circular openings 5 forming spherically contouredsurfaces 6.

The stamping operation also forms the bore sections 7 in the shankportion of the housing halves and a connecting channel 8 extendingbetween the bore section and the opening in the head portion. As shownin FIG. 1, one of the housing halves is stamped with a flat pe ripheraledge 9 while the other is shaped with an upturned peripheral flange 10.

In assembling the two housing halves, they are positioned face to facewith the half 1 positioned within the half 2 and with a spherical ballbearing member 1] disposed within the aligned openings of the headportions. The ball may be made of case hardened, low carbon steel orother suitable material. The housing halves are secured together bycrimping the peripheral flange 10 of the outer half 2 over theperipheral edge 9 of the inner half 1. In assembled condition, thealigned openings 5 define a ball pocket for rotatably holding thespherical ball 11. In addition, the stamped contour of the shank portionof the housing halves defines a bore 12. This bore is provided withinternal threading by suitable techniques as, for example, roll forming.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIGS. 4 and 5, the assembly may be madeeither as a female structure or as a male structure. The female assemblydiffers from the male assembly in that it has a longer threaded shankportion and flattened wrench surfaces 4' on the shank portion. The maleassembly, on the other hand, in-

cludes a threaded shank member permanently secured into a shorter shankportion.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the size andcontour of the bearing housing is made to produce an assembly of minimumsize and maximum strength. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the head portionof the housing is provided with a circular periphery 13 which isconcentric to the opening and, as indicated at 13, extends slightly morethan 180 in length. The opened ends of the circular periphery face theshank portion of the assembly. The shank portion is provided withstraight sides 14 and has a central axis extending radially relative tothe opening 5 in the head portion.

The peripheral edges of the housing halves between the circularperiphery 13 and the straight sides of the shank portion are such as toeliminate any preferred location of failure in the housing structurethrough this area and to provide maximum strength for handling anymisalignment and improper loading to which the assembly may besubjected. In particular, the peripheral edges 15 extend at an acuteangle of about 30 to the central axis of the shank portion. This angleis large enough to provide the necessary strength for support andprevention of tension distortion of the housing. Advantageously, theperipheral edges 15 define straight edges extending from the straightsides of the shank portion and merging tangentially with the circularperiphery of the head portion at the open ends thereof.

The assembly is further strengthened by having the straight sides of theshank portion extend for at least a distance about equal to the diameterof the bore 12 therein. Also, the threaded surface of the bore extendsbeyond the straight sides of the shank portion so that either theconnecting member for the female assembly or the shank member shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 may be threaded into the shank portion by a distancegreater than the diameter of the bore.

In order to provide an assembly with a minimum outer dimension, theperipheral edge 9 of the head portion of the inner housing half 1extends radially beyond the outwardly protruding section 6' forming thepocket by a minimum distance. This distance is dependent on the materialfrom which the housing is made and its thickness, and is just sufficientto permit crimping of the peripheral flange 10 of the outer housing half2 without causing fracturing or failure of the metal. Also, theperipheral flange 10 is sized so that it is a minimum dimension whichupon crimping, will lie closely adjacent the protruding section 6. Theclosely crimped surfaces provide good support and prevent the pocketbearing surfaces from being forced open under load.

With the circular periphery 13 of the housing extending slightly morethan l80 around the ball pocket, the assembly of the parts isfacilitated and added strength is provided. More particularly, thehousing half 1 can be inserted into the housing half 2 and will beproperly held in alignment during the crimping operation. Also, withthis construction, the ball pocket is fully reinforced to precludedistortion during loading of the assembly. The crimped edge providesthis reinforcement; and even if the assembly is placed under loadingconditions which tend to force the ball toward the shank portion, thecrimped circular periphery in the area 13' will provide the necessaryreinforcement precluding distortion of the pocket or separation of thehousing halves in this area.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the shankmember 16 in the male assembly is secured within the shank portion ofthe housing to provide maximum strength. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, theshank member 16 is provided with a bore 17 extending axially in fromeach end of the member to form hollow ends. The diameter and depth ofthe bore are each about one-half the diameter of the member. One of thehollow ends of the member is threaded into the bore of the shank portionof the housing.

Once the hollow end of the shank member is threaded into place as shownin FIG. 5, the shank portion of the housing is struck to cause inwarddeformation as shown at 18. This inward deformation of the housing, inturn, causes inward deformation of the end of the shank member; and thehollow construction permits such deformation so that the member becomesmechanically locked against rotation in the shank portion of thehousing.

To assure a rigid connection, the shank member is threaded into theshank portion of the housing for a distance at least equal to thediameter of the shank member. Also, the shank member extends into theshank portion for a distance about twice the depth of the bore 17 in thehollow end. This limits deformation to a loca tion spaced inwardly fromthe point at which the shank member extends out from the shank portion.

To further increase the strength of the connection of the shank member,it is brazed to the shank portion of the housing. The brazing solder isshown in the drawings at 20. Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, thebrazing is effected completely around the shank member where it extendsfrom the housing and also into the threaded connection between the shankmember and housing. The brazed solder, which may for example be silversolder, flows by capillary action into the threaded joint. Also, asshown in FIG. 6 the bore in the shank portion of the housing is notperfectly circular and provides slight openings 19 at the pointofjoining of the housing halves for flow of the brazing solder.

In addition to brazing the shank member to the housing, the peripheraledges of the housing halves along the shank portion are brazed togetherat the crimped connection. This increases the strength of thisconnection particularly where the crimped flange 10 leaves a slightspacing 20' between it and the edges 9 of the inner housing half. Bybrazing both the shank member to the shank portion of the housing andthe crimped edges of the housing together, the two housing halves andshank member are effectively integrally joined to produce a highstrength connection.

With the female assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the attachment to asuitable connecting member in the structure with which the assembly isused may be made simply by threading. Alternatively, the connection maybe made in the same way as with the threaded shank member. In eithercase, the connecting member becomes a shank member for the assembly.

As stated above, the housing of the bearing assembly of the presentinvention is provided with a channel 8 connecting the ball pocket withthe bore in the shank portion. This channel is stamped into the housinghalves and provides a raised rib on the opposite sides of the housing.These ribs add strength to the housing section in this area to resistbending distortions. In addition, the channel provides a passagewaybetween the pocket and the bore through which a lubricant may besupplied. If the bearing assembly is to be of the lubricated type, thenatural groove 21 formed between the housing halves may be used as alubricant reservoir. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, a ringoflubricating material 22 may be located in this groove.

For purposes of supplying lubricant, an orifice 23 shown in FIG. 7 isprovided. This orifice extends through the shank portion and into thebore 12. Advantageously, the orifice is aligned to communicate with thehollow end of the shank member. A grease fitting 24 may be attached tothe orifice to facilitate injection of lubricant. The orifice isnecessary for lubricating the male assembly. However, with the femaleassembly lubrication may be accomplished through the bore of the shankportion.

As an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the ball pocketmay be provided with a plastic race material for rotatably supportingthe spherical ball member 11. FIGS. 8 and 9 show constructions of thistype where the plastic race material is designated by references numeral25.

Where the plastic race is provided, the housing halves may be formedeither as shown in FIG. 8 with the head portion of the housing havingthe same spherical seating contour as used in the constructions of FIGS.1-6 or as shown in FIG. 9 with a straight opening for receiving the ball11. In either case, the plastic race material is molded around the ballby injection through the orifice 23 and/or bore 12 and the channel 8.The plastic race material may be molded around the ball in the mannerdisclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,287,071.

The molded race material of the assemblies shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 willrotatably support the ball and be held in the housing against bothrotational and axial movement. Such securing of the race material iseffected due to the plastic flowing into the circumferential groove 21.Also, the plastic material will fill the channel 8 and the upper portionof the bore 12 in the shank portion of the housing. This plasticmaterial will also fill the hollow end of the shank member to furtherenhance its connection to the shank portion of the housing.

FIG. shows the invention as incorporated in a bearing assembly having astudded ball 1 1 as a bearing member disposed within the pocket of theassembly. Ball joints and studded rod end assemblies as well as othertypes of bearing assemblies may readily be constructed with the featuresof the present invention.

We claim:

1. In a bearing assembly having first and second stamped metal housinghalves secured together with each half having a head portion and a shankportion, said head portions having aligned circular openings therein todefine a ball pocket for receiving a bearing member and said halvesbeing secured together with the peripheral edge of one crimped about theperipheral edge of the other, the improvement wherein:

a. the head portion has a circular periphery concentric to said openingsand extending slightly more than 180;

b. the shank portion has straight sides with the central axis thereofextending radially relative to said circular openings;

e. the periphery of the housing between the sides of the shank portionand the circular periphery of the head portion merges tangentially withsaid circular periphery and extends at an acute angle to the centralaxis of the shank portion which is sufficiently large to eliminate anypreferred location of failure in the housing between the sides of theshank portion and the circular periphery of the head portion duringmisalignment or improper loading of the assembly.

2. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

a. the acute angle is about 30.

3. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 2 wherein:

a. said shank portion has a bore therein for receiving a shank member;and

b. the straight sided shank portion extends at least for a distanceabout equal to the diameter of said bore.

4. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 3 wherein:

a. the housing halves are secured together in face-toface relation; and

b. said ball pocket and bore are connected together by an internalchannel.

5. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein:

a. said channel is stamped into the housing halves and defines a raisedrib on opposite sides thereof.

6. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein:

a. said opening in each half of the housing defines a sphericallycontoured bearing surface for said bearing member protruding outwardlyfrom opposite sides of said housing;

b. the circular peripheral edge of the head portion of said other of thehousing halves extends radially from the protruding sectionby a distancejust sufficient to permit crimping of said one half thereover.

7. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 6 wherein:

a. the bore of the shank portion is provided with a threaded surface.

8. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 7 wherein:

a. a shank member is threadably secured within the bore of said shankportion and extends therein for a distance at least equal to thediameter of said rod.

9. In a bearing assembly having a housing with a head portion holding aball rotatably secured therein and a shank portion with a shank membersecured therein, the improvement wherein:

a. said shank member has a hollow end secured within said shank portion;

b. said shank portion is deformed inwardly against said hollow end; and

c. said hollow end is deformed inwardly at the location of deformationof the shank portion.

10. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein:

a. said shank portion and hollow end are deformed around less than thecircumference of said shank portion.

ll. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein:

a. said shank member is threadedly received within said shank portion.

12. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 11 wherein:

a. said shank member extends into said shank portion a distance greaterthan the length of the hollow end thereof by a predetermined ratio.

13. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 12 wherein:

a. said predetermined ratio is about 2 to 1.

14. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein:

a. the diameter and depth of the bore forming the hollow end are eachabout one-half the diameter of the shank member.

15. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein:

a. said shank member is brazed in the bore of said shank portion.

16. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 15 wherein:

a. said shank member is threadedly received within said shank portion;and i b. said shank member is brazed along its thread in the threadedbore of said shank portion.

17. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 16 wherein:

a. said housing includes two sheet metal halves with the peripheral edgeof one crimped about the peripheral edge of the other along said shankportion; and

b. the peripheral edges of said housing halves are brazed together alongthe crimped connection of the shank portion.

18. In a bearing assembly having a housing defining a head portion and ashank portion, said head portion having an opening therein to define aball pocket for receiving a ball and said shank portion having a boretherein for receiving a shank member, the improvement wherein:

a. said housing includes an internal channel connecting said pocket tosaid bore; and

b. the housing is comprised of two sheet metal halves having the pocket,bore and channel stamped therein with the remainder secured together inface to face relation.

19. The improvement in a bearing assembly accord ing to claim 18wherein:

a. said shank portion includes an orifice extending into the borethereof and through which lubricant may be supplied, via said channel,to said pocket.

20. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 19 wherein:

a. molded plastic race material supports said ball within said pocketand extends through said channel and into said bore.

21. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 20 wherein:

a. a hollow ended shank member is secured within the bore of said shankportion; and

b. said plastic material fills said hollow end.

22. The improvement in a bearing assembly accord ing to claim 21wherein:

a. a filling orifice extends through said shank portion and into thehollow end of said shank member.

1. In a bearing assembly having first and second stamped metal housinghalves secured together with each half having a head portion and a shankportion, said head portions having aligned circular openings therein todefine a ball pocket for receiving a bearing member and said halvesbeing secured together with the peripheral edge of one crimped about theperipheral edge of the other, the improvement wherein: a. the headportion has a circular periphery concentric to said openings andextending slightly more than 180* ; b. the shank portion has straightsides with the central axis thereof extending radially relative to saidcircular openings; c. the periphery of the housing between the sides ofthe shank portion and the circular periphery of the head portion mergestangentially with said circular periphery and extends at an acute angleto the central axis of the shank portion which is sufficiently large toeliminate any preferred location of failure in the housing between thesides of the shank portion and the circular periphery of the headportion during misalignment or improper loading of the assembly.
 2. Theimprovement in a bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein: a. theacute angle is about 30*.
 3. The improvement in a bearing assemblyaccording to claim 2 wherein: a. said shank portion has a bore thereinfor receiving a shank member; and b. the straight sided shank portionextends at least for a distance about equal to the diameter of saidbore.
 4. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 3wherein: a. the housing halves are secured together in face-to-facerelation; and b. said ball pocket and bore are connected together by aninternal channel.
 5. The improvement in a bearing assembly according toclaim 4 wherein: a. said channel is stamped into the housing halves anddefines a raised rib on opposite sides thereof.
 6. The improvement in abearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein: a. said opening in eachhalf of the housing defines a spherically contoured bearing surface forsaid bearing member protruding outwardly from opposite sides of saidhousing; b. the circular peripheral edge of the head portion of saidother of the housing halves extends radially from the protruding sectionby a distance just sufficient to permit crimping of said one halfthereover.
 7. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 6wherein: a. the bore of the shank portion is provided with a threadedSurface.
 8. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 7wherein: a. a shank member is threadably secured within the bore of saidshank portion and extends therein for a distance at least equal to thediameter of said rod.
 9. In a bearing assembly having a housing with ahead portion holding a ball rotatably secured therein and a shankportion with a shank member secured therein, the improvement wherein: a.said shank member has a hollow end secured within said shank portion; b.said shank portion is deformed inwardly against said hollow end; and c.said hollow end is deformed inwardly at the location of deformation ofthe shank portion.
 10. The improvement in a bearing assembly accordingto claim 9 wherein: a. said shank portion and hollow end are deformedaround less than the circumference of said shank portion.
 11. Theimprovement in a bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein: a. saidshank member is threadedly received within said shank portion.
 12. Theimprovement in a bearing assembly according to claim 11 wherein: a. saidshank member extends into said shank portion a distance greater than thelength of the hollow end thereof by a predetermined ratio.
 13. Theimprovement in a bearing assembly according to claim 12 wherein: a. saidpredetermined ratio is about 2 to
 1. 14. The improvement in a bearingassembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. the diameter and depth of thebore forming the hollow end are each about one-half the diameter of theshank member.
 15. The improvement in a bearing assembly according toclaim 9 wherein: a. said shank member is brazed in the bore of saidshank portion.
 16. The improvement in a bearing assembly according toclaim 15 wherein: a. said shank member is threadedly received withinsaid shank portion; and b. said shank member is brazed along its threadin the threaded bore of said shank portion.
 17. The improvement in abearing assembly according to claim 16 wherein: a. said housing includestwo sheet metal halves with the peripheral edge of one crimped about theperipheral edge of the other along said shank portion; and b. theperipheral edges of said housing halves are brazed together along thecrimped connection of the shank portion.
 18. In a bearing assemblyhaving a housing defining a head portion and a shank portion, said headportion having an opening therein to define a ball pocket for receivinga ball and said shank portion having a bore therein for receiving ashank member, the improvement wherein: a. said housing includes aninternal channel connecting said pocket to said bore; and b. the housingis comprised of two sheet metal halves having the pocket, bore andchannel stamped therein with the remainder secured together in face toface relation.
 19. The improvement in a bearing assembly according toclaim 18 wherein: a. said shank portion includes an orifice extendinginto the bore thereof and through which lubricant may be supplied, viasaid channel, to said pocket.
 20. The improvement in a bearing assemblyaccording to claim 19 wherein: a. molded plastic race material supportssaid ball within said pocket and extends through said channel and intosaid bore.
 21. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim20 wherein: a. a hollow ended shank member is secured within the bore ofsaid shank portion; and b. said plastic material fills said hollow end.22. The improvement in a bearing assembly according to claim 21 wherein:a. a filling orifice extends through said shank portion and into thehollow end of said shank member.